A rare start, a telling contribution, and an early exit
Mateo Kovacic is not a name that appears on Enzo Maresca's team sheet every week. The Croatian midfielder has found starts hard to come by under the current manager, so Saturday's visit of Ipswich Town offered a rare opportunity to remind everyone of his quality.
Maresca handed Kovacic a midfield berth alongside Phil Foden and Ayyoub Bouaddi for the 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium. Bouaddi anchored as the number six, allowing Kovacic to operate further forward and influence the game in the final third.
The 50 minutes Kovacic spent on the pitch were enough to leave a mark. His cross set up Erling Haaland's first goal of the afternoon, a moment that underlined the vision and delivery he brings to a side that often relies on its midfielders to unlock deep defences. It was a timely reminder of what Kovacic offers when given the chance.
But the afternoon ended on a sour note. Kovacic sustained an injury and was withdrawn in the 50th minute, cutting short a performance that had already made its point. The nature and severity of the problem are not yet clear, though any absence would be a blow for a player who has had to be patient for opportunities.
City's 3-2 victory over Ipswich keeps the Blues on track, but the sight of Kovacic limping off will temper the satisfaction. For a midfielder who has spent much of the season watching from the bench, this was a reminder of his value — and a frustrating reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift.